OTTAWA – The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations is close to returning from medical leave, at a time when some chiefs have appeared to undercut his authority by using his absence to call for a meeting with the prime minister and Governor General.

The return of Shawn Atleo could simplify what has developed into a confusing chorus of voices that threatens to paralyze communication with the federal government.

Atleo announced Monday that he’ll soon be back on his feet after illness. “I am keen to return to my full duties reinvigorated later this week,” he said in a press release.

Atleo has been resting on doctor’s orders, after contracting a norovirus last month and not fully recovering during the frantic days that followed First Nations’ meetings and protests in Ottawa.

Roger Augustine, the AFN regional chief for New Brunswick and Price Edward Island, who has been chairing that organization’s meetings in Atleo’s absence, said the national chief plans to return on Thursday.

Some First Nations leaders criticized Atleo for attending a Jan. 11 meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Those leaders wanted a larger venue and the presence of Gov. Gen. David Johnston.

In a Jan. 19 letter, the AFN asked Harper for a new meeting with the Governor General and First Nations leaders. The request originated with Manitoba chiefs who boycotted the Jan. 11 meeting and was approved by the AFN executive, without Atleo.

But the federal government continues to stress that further meetings must be designed to achieve progress on the issues and cannot include the Governor General as a participant. Furthermore, the government believes Atleo must be at the table for future discussions, given that he is the elected representative of the AFN.

Atleo is to attend a meeting of chiefs in British Columbia on Thursday and Friday, Augustine said.

“I don’t know if that’s realistic at this point to set up a meeting with the prime minister and Governor General in three days,” Augustine said. “We’re three days away, and I haven’t been told to prepare for anything.”

The prime minister’s office said on Monday it has received the AFN letter and will respond in due course.

“The Prime Minister will be meeting with National Chief Atleo in the upcoming weeks as agreed during the meeting a week and a half ago,” spokesman Carl Vallee said in an email.

Meanwhile, Augustine said the AFN was exploring ways to help Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence end her protest fast, which reached 42 days on Monday.Spence has refused solid food until a meeting involving both the prime minister and Governor General is secured.

“It’s involving a request that she has in regards to some type of a declaration to be signed by all the chiefs,” he said, but added he didn’t know further details.

Spence’s camp said there has been no talk of ending her fast.

“There’s no such communication whatsoever,” said her spokesman, Danny Metatawabin. “Nobody from our team is saying to end the hunger strike.”

Metatawabin said Spence is continuing to push for the AFN to get the prime minister and the Governor General to meet with First Nations leadership.

In Atleo’s release, he called for unity behind the AFN’s agenda, but added that he’s open to criticism of its decision-making process.

“At many different points, there have been periods of disagreement and discord. But, at each point, when our peoples have engaged in vigorous debate, we have also listened and respected one another,” he said.

Ken Coates, Canada Research Chair in regional innovation at the University of Saskatchewan, called the latest meeting request for Thursday an “attempt to grab the agenda and respond to a considerable constituency” in favour of such discussions.

“I think the confusion within the AFN is making life more difficult for them,” Coates added. “That’s not going to help get the government on board.”

That First Nations leaders unite behind AFN leadership is crucial for progress on the issues at hand, said Queen’s University Prof. Kathy Brock, who studies aboriginal self-governance.

“If the First Nations community is seen as very deeply divided, it puts the federal government in a very difficult position of knowing to whom to respond at what point,” she said. “They don’t want to be seen to respond to requests that come from outside the AFN leadership, because that could be seen as them undercutting the AFN.”

According to Augustine, there seems to be better co-operation now among some chiefs who disapproved of the Jan. 11 meeting.

“I’m hearing now from the chiefs saying, ‘We don’t want to undermine the Assembly of First Nations. We’re prepared to work with National Chief Atleo.’ ”